In Days Gone, survival depends on more than just bullets and bikes strategy, timing, and the right tools are essential for facing the Freaker hordes. Among the many weapons available to Deacon St. John, the Napalm Molotov stands out as a game-changer. Crafted late in the game, this powerful incendiary weapon isn’t just another throwable item it becomes one of the most important tools for clearing out dense swarms. Its devastating area-of-effect fire damage turns what might be a losing battle into a chance for victory. For players navigating the dangers of Oregon’s apocalyptic wilderness, mastering the Napalm Molotov can make all the difference.
Understanding the Napalm Molotov
What Makes It Different
The Napalm Molotov is not your standard Molotov cocktail. While regular Molotovs are useful for damaging small groups of enemies or creating temporary barriers, the Napalm Molotov is built for destruction on a larger scale. It delivers significantly more fire damage over a broader area and lasts longer, making it the best choice when dealing with hordes.
Unlike explosives that scatter damage outward, the Napalm Molotov creates a prolonged blaze, burning anything caught in its radius. This makes it especially effective against tightly packed Freakers and enemies that charge in waves. It is the ultimate tool for softening or eliminating a large chunk of a horde, especially when used strategically with chokepoints or narrow terrain.
Crafting Recipe and Requirements
Players cannot craft Napalm Molotovs immediately. This item becomes available only after progressing to a specific point in the story, tied to missions that involve character development and technological advancements. Once unlocked, however, players can craft the weapon using easily accessible components.
- Beer Bottle: A common crafting item, found in various locations throughout the game world.
- Kerosene: Already used in standard Molotovs, it provides the base for incendiary damage.
- Polystyrene: A less common ingredient found in certain areas, this is the key to transforming a basic Molotov into a Napalm-grade explosive.
Once players have the schematic and the right materials, they can craft Napalm Molotovs from their survival wheel, just like other throwables. However, due to the limited availability of polystyrene, careful resource management is advised.
How to Unlock the Napalm Molotov
Progressing Through the Story
The Napalm Molotov becomes available during the later parts of the main storyline, specifically after Deacon reconnects with Sarah Whitaker at the Wizard Island encampment. Sarah, a scientist, helps develop the formula for the Napalm Molotov based on her research and Deacon’s field needs.
This development takes place in a key mission titled I’ve Had Better Days, where players retrieve chemical components from an old lab. The mission serves as both a narrative turning point and a gameplay upgrade, giving players new firepower to deal with the increasing size and aggression of Freaker hordes.
Thematic Significance
The creation of the Napalm Molotov is more than a gameplay mechanic it represents a turning point for Deacon and Sarah. It shows the merging of survival instincts with scientific knowledge, and the evolution of the player’s role from a lone wanderer to someone shaping the fight against the Freakers. This makes the weapon feel earned, not just unlocked.
Strategic Use in Combat
Horde Control
The primary use for the Napalm Molotov is dealing with large hordes. These enemies move in dense clusters, making them highly vulnerable to area-of-effect attacks. When thrown into the center of a group, the Molotov can kill dozens of Freakers instantly and weaken many others. It is most effective when the horde is funneled into tight spaces like tunnels, bridges, or between rocks.
Combining with Other Weapons
- Proximity Bombs: Set traps along a path to slow down or wound a horde before tossing the Molotov.
- Attractor Devices: Draw the horde into a single location, then use the Napalm Molotov to maximize casualties.
- Ranged Firearms: Pick off stragglers or finish off burning enemies with suppressed rifles or shotguns.
Planning is essential. The Molotov’s strength lies not just in damage, but in control. It creates chaos in enemy formations, giving Deacon a chance to reposition or retreat.
Environmental Awareness
Using the Napalm Molotov in areas with multiple escape routes is risky. If the horde isn’t fully neutralized, enemies can swarm from other directions. Terrain like ledges, tunnels, and narrow paths work best. Remember: fire can’t stop a horde if it can’t trap them. Players should learn the environment before initiating combat.
Resource Management and Limitations
Crafting Limits
While extremely powerful, the Napalm Molotov is not infinite. The limited availability of polystyrene means players cannot rely on it constantly. It’s important to save these for large horde fights or missions where overwhelming numbers are expected.
Ammo Wheel Balance
Carrying too many Napalm Molotovs can crowd the weapon wheel, limiting space for other valuable items like smoke bombs or flashbangs. Maintaining a balanced inventory ensures versatility in different combat scenarios. Prepare in advance for missions with specific enemy types or objectives.
Cooldown Between Uses
After throwing a Napalm Molotov, Deacon experiences a short animation delay before regaining full mobility. This can be deadly if used in the middle of a fast-charging horde. Time your throw carefully, preferably from higher ground or behind cover.
Advanced Tactics
Choke Point Ambushes
Wait for the horde to enter a choke point like a mine entrance or narrow canyon. Place attractors and bombs beforehand. Once the horde clusters, toss the Napalm Molotov into the center and follow with a second wave of explosives. This combo can decimate even the largest hordes without wasting too many supplies.
Multiple Throws in Sequence
If enough materials are available, use multiple Molotovs in sequence along a horde’s path. The overlapping flames will create an extended burn zone, weakening or killing Freakers as they run through. Just be sure to maintain enough distance and have a clear escape route.
Nighttime Swarm Management
At night, Freakers become more aggressive and numerous. During these periods, the Napalm Molotov becomes essential for survival in open areas. Light sources can help guide the horde into a trap, especially when combined with attractors and fire-based attacks.
The Napalm Molotov in Days Gone is not just another item it’s a turning point in both gameplay and story progression. It empowers players to take on some of the most intimidating threats the game has to offer while symbolizing the resilience and ingenuity of its characters. From the first moment you unlock it, the Napalm Molotov changes how you approach large-scale battles and environmental tactics. It demands smart resource management, quick decision-making, and terrain awareness, but it rewards players with the ability to dominate even the largest of Freaker hordes. For anyone serious about mastering Days Gone, understanding and utilizing the Napalm Molotov is absolutely essential.